January 2012

Welcome to the NEW monthly newsletter of The Red Oak Sure Start Children’s Centre. in:form will bring you information about your Children’s Centre, the programme, dates for your diary, news and LOTS more. We’ve listened to what you told us about the Centre in your parent questionnaires in October and November last year, and the main and recurring things you said were:

that you valued the range of activities on offer;

you liked the affordable nature of our services;

that you wanted us to be more responsive to ideas you have;

that, whilst our publicity was good, our communication of up and coming events and news could be better.

As such, we have kept the same number of activities available to you, and have worked hard to keep costs down. Alongside this, we have developed in:form, to work on the other 2 points. This is only a trial for the next few months, and it will replace the termly programme that you will be used to seeing. in:form will be available from the Children’s Centre, from our website, from Facebook or you can have it emailed directly to you as soon as it is available. Please complete the ‘Email updates’ form in the ‘Contact’ section of our website – www.theredoak.org.uk If you have any comments about the newsletter, or would like anything including, please don’t hesitate to let us know. I do hope that you find it useful!

Duane Kirkland Centre Manager

January’s activities:

SPLAT!

Come, stay, play & learn all together! Use all our facilities and equipment, meet others, take part in organised activities… There’s LOTS to do!

Childminders: £1 per child Bletchingley: 50p per family

Playlink A popular drop-in stay and play session run jointly by Merstham Playlink (Welcare in East Surrey) and us. Runs at Age Concern, Weldon Way, Merstham

50p per family

Post Natal Group

A 4-week course for new mums introducing a wide range of topics including Baby Massage, First Aid, Feeding, Dentistry and more.

Free

baby baby A small, friendly and open session for parents to drop in with their under 1s. Join us for coffee, chat and play.

50p per family

COCO A drop-in group offering help, support and play for children with additional communication and language needs.

Free

Splodgers! A chance to come and do all the arty, crafty and MESSY things you want to do with your children, but without the stress of doing it at home!

£2 for first child, then £1 each

Advice & Info

Drop in and see us if you have a question or need help on anything to do with raising a family, or if you need help with completing paperwork.

Free

Baby Massage

A 5-week course to teach you all you need to know about baby massage. It’s great for relaxation, bonding and communication. Call to book.

£5 per week

Little Sports Stars

A drop-in active session with ‘Little Sports Stars’ – the specialists in children’s multi-sports and activities. Open to children aged 2-5.

£1.50 per child

Parenting Puzzle

An informal, friendly 10-week course which encourages parents and carers to enjoy bringing up children and get the best out of family life. Call to book.

£2 per week

Baby Clinic

Drop-in to have your baby weighed or to see the health visiting team... then stay for a while and have a drink while your little one plays.

Free

Nature Tots

A group for children (aged 3-5) and their parents to enjoy, explore and learn about nature, the environment & wildlife. Run with Surrey Wildlife Trust.

Free

Dad’s Club An opportunity for dad’s to bring their children to a session of play and activities. Open to children under 5, and their superheroes!

50p per family

January’s Calendar:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 3 4 5 6 7 CENTRE CLOSED CENTRE CLOSED 0800 – Shining

Stars reopens 1000 – Playlink

1230 – Baby Clinic

1300 – Baby massage (5 weeks)

9 10 11 12 13 14

930 – SPLAT! Childminders

1000 – Playlink

930 – SPLAT! Bletchingley

1000 – Post Natal Group (New group)

1300 – baby baby

930 – COCO

1000 – Playlink

1230 – Baby Clinic

930 – Splodgers!

930 – Advice & Info. @ Nutfield

1300 – Baby massage (week 2)

1430 – Little Sports Stars

16 17 18 19 20 21

930 – SPLAT! Childminders

930 – Advice & Info. @ Bletchingley

1000 – Playlink

1000 – Parenting Puzzle (new course)

930 – SPLAT! Bletchingley

1000 – Post Natal Group (week 2)

1300 – baby baby

1000 – Playlink

1230 – Baby Clinic

1530 – Nature Tots

930 – Splodgers!

1300 – Baby massage (week 3)

1430 – Little Sports Stars

23 24 25 26 27 28

930 – SPLAT! Childminders

1000 – Playlink

1000 – Parenting Puzzle (week 2)

930 – SPLAT! Bletchingley

1000 – Post Natal Group (week 3)

1300 – baby baby

930 – COCO

1000 – Playlink

1230 – Baby Clinic

930 – Splodgers!

1300 – Baby massage (week 4)

1430 – Little Sports Stars

1000 – Dad’s Club

30 31

930 – SPLAT! Childminders

1000 – Playlink

1000 – Parenting Puzzle (week 3)

These are the activities provided by the Children’s Centre (or by our partners) that are open to all families with children aged 0-5. In addition, we host or run some groups or activities that are only open to some families, or which need an appointment to attend. These do not appear on the calendar, so don’t worry if you are coming to an appointment that isn’t showing!

We reserve the right to change the programme at short notice & recommend you check before attending.

Post Natal Group

The next group begins on 8th February.

Baby Massage 5 week courses are running every half term The next course starts on 2nd March.

HENRY Our 5 week course looking at Health, Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young is coming back

after Easter – Call to reserve your place.

Have your voice heard!

Thursday 9th February – come along for a glass of wine, nibbles and a chat about your Children’s

Centre. (see next page)

Is our new programme to give you information about topics which we think you’ll find interesting and/or helpful. Resources and information will be available from the Centre and our website. If you have any topic ideas, please let us know.

‘Like us’ @ /theredoak

Find out more about your

Children’s Centre at www.theredoak.org.uk

/about-us

You can now advertise any

clothes, toys and equipment

for the under 5s that you’re

looking to sell, at the

Children’s Centre for only

50p per A5 advert

So, if you’re looking to sell,

or if you’re looking for a

bargain, pop along to see

what’s on offer!

HELP! We are looking for some parents to help us decide what the Centre does, and help to shape the way the Centre runs.

If you would like to ‘have your voice heard’, then come and see us on 9th February at 7pm for a glass of wine, nibbles and a chat.

Did you know that we run a DAD'S CLUB?

It's open on the 4th Saturday of every month from 10am - 12pm for games, crafts and activities for children (7 and

under) and their superheroes!

The next 3 dates are: 28th Jan, 25th Feb, and 24th Mar.

Pop along and play!

Are you worried about your child’s communication?

CoCo may just be the answer you’ve been looking for!

It’s a stay and play group for children under 5 who may be struggling to

communicate. It’s led by Nikki (from the Children’s Centre) and Alex (from

the South East Portage Service) who are on hand to offer support,

information, tips, tricks and advice.

Come along to CoCo on a Thursday morning (9:30 – 10:30) at the Centre.

It runs fortnightly from 12th

January. Contact us for more information.

Colour me in!

February’s edition will be available on Tuesday 24th January…

DON’T FORGET to sign up online to receive an e-version

in your email inbox!